Utah Jazz rookie Dante Exum impresses in NBA summer league debut

Roy Ward

Australian star Dante Exum scored his first NBA points with a dunk and ended his first summer league game with a three-pointer on Sunday.

While Exum’s Utah Jazz team lost its first Las Vegas summer league game 74-70 to Philadelphia 76ers, the Victorian point guard made a positive impression with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes on court.

Exum scored his first points when teammate Trey Burke found him for an alley-oop dunk in the opening quarter.

With the pass in front of the rim, Exum finished the play with a reverse dunk.

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Exum, who turned 19 on Sunday, said he wanted to use the summer league to prove he belonged in the NBA.

“A lot of people are questioning my ability to be here but I’m here and showing what I can do every night,” Exum told NBA TV.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on court and showing more of what I’ve got to show.”

Exum and his twin sister Tierra will celebrate their birthday together as the Exum family is in Las Vegas.

Exum said he wanted to focus on his defence and keep any nerves at bay.

“I was nervous at the start, it was all about getting out there and getting a run," Exum said.

“I had Trey Burke and Rudy Gobert just telling me to play my game and that’s what I went and did – it has worked out well.”

Exum’s poise, passing and a late three-pointer, which tied scores with 1 minute 29 seconds to go, impressed former NBA star point guard Walt “Clyde” Frazier, who commentated the game for NBA TV.

“He looked assured out there,” Frazier said.

“He can dish and swish but looked a little fatigued at the end – it’s a bit faster than what he is used to.”

Queensland forward Brock Motum was also impressive in the second half for the Jazz, tip-dunking one of Exum’s missed shots to finish with four points, four rebounds and three assists in 13 minutes.

Motum is trying out for a free agent contract with the Jazz after playing in Italy last year.

Australian forward Cameron Bairstow’s chances of making the Chicago Bulls roster have improved after the Bulls traded bench forward Greg Smith to Dallas on Sunday.

Bairstow had eight points and six rebounds in 31 minutes during the Bulls’ 86-70 win over Los Angeles Clippers in Las Vegas on Sunday.

He has impressed the Bulls so far after being a second-round pick in last month’s draft and looks in prime position to earn a contract for the upcoming season.

Melbourne United guard Chris Goulding scored six points on 2-3 shooting in 15 minutes for Dallas Mavericks in their 93-85 win over Minnesota.

Exum and the Jazz play Milwaukee in their next summer league match on Tuesday (Australian time).

1 comment so far

It's great to see all the new fresh Aussies who are making it to the top. Well done.